Saint Stephen, Saint Sixtus and Saint Lawrence

Saint Stephen, Saint Sixtus and Saint Lawrence is a powerful woodcut created by the master German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer between 1485 and 1528. This detailed print exemplifies Dürer’s pioneering contribution to the development of graphic arts during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The challenging medium of the woodcut required exceptional skill in design and execution, translating complex lines onto the wooden block for mass reproduction, a technique Dürer is credited with elevating to the level of high art.

The composition meticulously portrays the three holy men: Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr and protodeacon; Saint Sixtus II, the Bishop of Rome martyred in 258 AD; and Saint Lawrence, another deacon whose martyrdom followed shortly thereafter. Dürer focuses on conveying the specific attributes and spiritual authority of these saints. The attention to individualized features, detailed drapery, and careful use of negative space distinguishes this print from earlier, more stylized German works, demonstrating Dürer’s commitment to Renaissance ideals of anatomical study and perspective, even within the confines of relief printing.

This enduring artwork is classified as a masterwork within the medium of prints. Dürer’s lasting influence is seen in the clarity and emotional depth achieved through his masterful handling of the black-and-white medium. Today, this important piece resides in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is preserved as an essential document of the German Renaissance. As the work dates from a period that has long placed it in the public domain, high-quality prints and records of this significant Dürer woodcut remain available for scholarly study and general appreciation worldwide.